The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-11-10
WAR MEMORIES
OF Cairo, Belmont, Henry and Don
elSOn.
BY MRS. JOHN A. LOGAN.

Il
September of 1861 saw the gathering together
at Cairo, Ill, Of as patriotic and brave an army
as ever answered the call of any country. Men
abandoned their vacations and volunteered to
follow the flag till it was honored on every
spot Of American soil. The firing on Sumter
had aroused the patriotism of the Nation; and
the West, with characteristic enthusiasm, was
almost to man ready for any service any
| where. In few weeks regiments were raised
and rendezvoused. Their first consignment of
equipments were indescribably poor The
shoddy clothing would hardly hang together,
and were of so many shades in color that they
could hardly be said to be in uniform. The
muskets were obsolete in pattern, and the
ammunition Of such different caliber that il
was with difficulty that regiment could
be supplied with 40 rounds" at one time
Many Of the men had never been out of their
native County, or away from home enough to
catch the measles. On one occasion 500 of the
3lst Ill.-one of the finest regiments in the bril-
gade encamped in and around Cairo-were in
the hospital with that disease.
| INUNDATED CAIRO.
| The equinoctial storm of September was suc-
ceeded by continuous downpours, until the
streams were swollen and the whole adjacent
country submerged. Cairo but for the Ieyees
that encircled almost the whole city like the
walls of Jerusalem, would have been inun-
dated. As it was, the seip-water stood in great
lakes on the low ground, within the walls, and
the whole city was perfect quagmire, through
which it was almost impossible for pedestrian,
equestrian or vehicle to pass. On some of the
streets the wooden sidewalks were raised on
trestle-work to level with the leyee. But
these were inadequate for the accommodation
OF the great number of troops encamped and
constantly arriving. Ludicrous scenes, beggar-
ing description, are recalled Of the dilemma Of
regiments esssying to march from the depot to
the higher ground on the outskirts of the city.
designated for their encampment Officers and
men would become fastened tightly in the
mortar-like mud, and could only extricate
themselves after the most desperate struggles;
first one foot and then the other sinking deeper
and deeper in the black, sticky boys of the
streets. Once the writer ventured to try to 20
to the headquarters Of the 31st regiment, be-
yond the terminus of the sidewalk, and was soon
FIRMLY PLANTED
effort could ever have gotten out After strug-
CLING desperately and realizing that the bottom
was fathomless and the situation notifying
and uncomfortable in the highest degree, /
waited despairingly for deliverance. The gal
liant 55th Ill. camo along. Their superb Colo
mel seeing woman in such deplorab!e posi-
ton dotted his hat, and, plunging through the
mud, offered rescue. Few were the words of
grateful acceptance that could be spoken in the
confusion and embarrassment, when he lit
orally pulled me out Of the mire and carried
me to the sidewalk, leaving both shoes lost to
sight in the depths to which 1 had sunk in my
attempts to get out myself Hastily thanking
the then unknown benefactor, ran to nv
quarters, hoping to escape recognition. After
ward, at Memphis Tenn, when the troops
were preparing for the Vicksburg campaign, I
met Gen. Maltby, and he at once recognized
me and told with much delight and waggery
OF his saving me from q muddy death, to the
amusement of Gen. Logan and the friends
around the headquarters campfire.
OFF FOR BATTLE
For weeks the army endured the discomforts
Of the situation, impatient for orders to march,
no matter where, so they could leave that in
hOspitable location. Finally they were graft
fed by orders to embark on the transports,
and soon saw they were to follow the lead of
the gunboats down the Mississippi River. At
once they concluded that Columbus, the Con-
federate stronghold on the Kentucky side, a
few miles below, was their destination, and
were much surprised when they were landed
on the Missouri shore and ordered to move for
ward and attack the Confederate garrison at
Belmont
Very few knew of the existence Of this camp
or Of its strength. But, confident Of victory in
any engagement, these dauntless Western
troops, though many of them were not more
than six weeks in the service, were eager for
the fray. Officers and men were reckless In
their haste to make the attack. Arriving at
the camp early in the morning. just as the Con-
federates were about breakfasting they were
soon holly engaged, and no veterans Of the war
ever behaved with more intrepdity than did
these raw troops of Iowa and Illinois in their
heroic dash upon the enemy, whom they drove
back at least quarter of mile beyond the
camp. Pushing forward at the command of
officers whose voices could be heard above the
roar of battle urging their men to deeds of hero
ism, steadily contestiug every step, the enemy
fell back. Our troops, wild with excitement
over their victory in this their first battle, be-
gan to dispose of the untouched breakfast left
by the enemy. Some, mounting stumps began
harranguing, while others, with their cheering
made the scene one of the widest confusion.
Cooler heads felt that the enemy, hearing the
noise and huzzahing, would return after receiv-
ing tho reinforcement that could easily and
would certainly be sent from Columbus across
the river below, and were trying to restore order
and reform them in line of battle, when the
whizzing of shot and shell came shrieking from
the heavy guns at Columbus, warned them all
was not over yet. Hastily setting fire to the
camp and taking up the dead, wounded and
prisoners, they prepared to return to the trans
ports, having destroyed this outpost of the enc
my. But, seeing from Columbus what had
been done, the rebels had al
HASTILY THROWN REINFORCEMENT
across the river and drawn them up in line OF
battle between our troops and their boats an
chored above. Gen. Logan, seeing the situa-
ton. ordered the colors of his dauntIess regi-
ment-the 3lst Ill.-to be brought to the front.
He led them directly for the enemy, telling
Gen. McClernand that he proposed to "Cut his
Al